Evaluating the Impact of Age on Tapp Inguinal Hernia Repair Outcomes: A Retrospective Analysis

Aim This study aims to assess the influence of advanced age on the safety and efficacy of Transabdominal Preperitoneal (TAPP) inguinal hernia repair. Material and Methods Conducted at the General Surgery Clinic of the Military Institute of Aviation Medicine in Warsaw, this retrospective analysis included 128 patients who underwent elective unilateral TAPP hernia repair from January 2022 to March 2023. Patients aged 65 and above (n = 54) were compared to a control group below 65 (n = 74). Data on demographics, operative details, and postoperative outcomes were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results The elderly group (mean age 72.02) showed no significant difference in operative time (mean 71.83 minutes) or hospitalization length (mean 3.089 days) compared to the control group. Surgical site infections were non-existent in the elderly group versus 2.78% in the control. Hernia recurrence was slightly higher in the elderly (1.79%) than in the control group (1.39%), but not significantly. Conclusions The study reveals that advanced age does not adversely affect the safety or efficacy of TAPP hernia repair, with comparable outcomes in elderly and younger patients. These findings suggest that age alone should not be a contraindication for TAPP procedure, highlighting the importance of evaluating individual patient risk factors. Further research with larger cohorts is recommended to consolidate these findings.